JD Vance defends backing ‘great guy’ Orbán’s campaign after landslide defeat

JD Vance defends backing ‘great guy’ Orbán’s campaign after landslide defeat

US Vice President JD Vance has claimed his decision to visit Hungary for a two-day campaign event in support of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was justified, following the opposition party Tisza’s decisive victory that ousted Orbán from power. Vance praised Orbán as a “great guy” who had “done a very good job,” emphasizing his role as a leader willing to challenge bureaucratic norms in Brussels. Despite the defeat, Vance expressed confidence that the US would maintain a productive relationship with the incoming government.

Magyar, the leader of Tisza, initially criticized Vance’s involvement, stating that “no foreign country may interfere in Hungarian elections.” However, he later acknowledged the US’s importance as a NATO ally, saying he would engage with them if President Donald Trump or others reached out. Orbán will continue to govern as a caretaker leader until Magyar is officially sworn in, with the three parliamentary party leaders invited to meet President Tamás Sulyok on Wednesday.

Sulyok, tasked with convening Hungary’s new parliament and recommending the next prime minister by 12 May, has resisted resignation calls. Magyar, aiming to expedite the process, urged Sulyok to act swiftly and resign, labeling him a “puppet” of Orbán’s administration. Magyar hinted he could assume the prime minister role as early as 5 May, depending on the pace of parliamentary proceedings.

Magyar’s campaign emphasized addressing systemic issues, including corruption and economic stagnation. He outlined plans to establish an Anti-Corruption Office and a National Asset Recovery and Protection Agency, alongside efforts to join the EU’s European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Orbán’s government was noted for its cronyism, where state contracts favored insiders and judicial independence waned. Magyar accused the previous administration of siphoning billions through opaque deals, calling the country “robbed bare” by corruption.

Magyar also pledged to ensure unbiased news coverage on public media, citing the BBC as a model for state broadcaster independence. With a preliminary parliamentary majority of 137 seats, he aims to unlock €17bn in suspended EU funds and €16bn in defense loans. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted a “swift work to be done to restore the rule of law and realign with our shared European values” during their recent conversation.

In a separate development, EU leaders are pressing Hungary to reverse a veto on €90bn in Ukrainian aid imposed by Orbán before the election. Magyar dismissed the veto as irrelevant, pointing out Hungary had opted out of the loan alongside two other nations in December. Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged the aid to be released “very quickly” with the new government in place, having previously met Magyar in Munich to discuss cooperation.